El Paso Scene Weekly for March 1-7, 2010

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Monster parking mess at UTEP

Monster trucks and a monster basketball game go head to head Saturday night at UTEP. Get there early to stake out a parking space.

Hot Rod Monster Jam – The U.S. Hot Rod Monster Jam is 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6-7, at Sun Bowl Stadium. Tickets: $10 (Ticketmaster). Information: 747-5481.
  The average monster truck costs $80,000 to $120,000, stands about 11 feet tall, and generates 1,000 to 2,000 horsepower capable of speeds up to 100 miles per hours. The tires alone can cost $1,800 each and stand 66” high and 43” wide.

UTEP Men’s Basketball – The Miners take on the UAB Blazers at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Don Haskins Center. Tickets: $9-$25. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com. The game is the final home game of the season and likely will have major impact on both teams’ chances for an NCAA Tournament bid.

MORE SPORTS

UTEP Women’s Basketball — The final home game of regular season play is 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 vs. Tulane at the Don Haskins Center. Tickets: $7 ($3 youth). Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com.

El Paso Michelob Ultra Marathon and Spira 1/2 Marathon — The 4th annual multi-state marathon, half-marathon and Jarritos 5K run/walk begins at Lynx Exhibits, 300 W. San Antonio, at 7 a.m. Sunday, March 7. Early registration: $65 full marathon; $45 half-marathon; $30 for 5K (by Feb. 16). Late fee of $5 for marathon and half-marathon, and $5 for 5K after Feb. 17. No race-day registration offered. Information: elpasomarathon.org.
  In addition, Troops from 4/1 Armored Division of Fort Bliss will run the a Satellite Marathon in Iraq during the event.
  The events seeks donations of $20 donation, which gets a soldier a marathon t-shirt, medal and bib number. To sponsor a soldier, visit elpasomarathon.org.
  Lynx Exhibits is registering children 12 and under for its 3rd annual non-competitive mini-marathon along a portion of the actual El Paso Marathon Course in Downtown El Paso at 7:05 a.m. Sunday, March 7, behind Lynx, 301 Overland. Information: 533-4330. Register on-line (through Feb. 20) at LynxExhibits.com.

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino — The 2009-2010 live horse racing season runs through April 20. Race days are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (and Wednesday, Feb. 17). First post is 12:25 p.m. each race day. General admission is free to the track and casino. First post time is 12:25 p.m. Turf Club seating is $7.
  Simulcast racing begins at 10 a.m. everyday. General admission and parking are free. Information: (575) 874-5200.
• Saturday, March 6 — West Texas Maturity. 3-year-olds and up.
• Sunday, March 7 – SPRC Claiming Series: Phase II. 3-year-olds and up.

ON STAGE

Siglo de Oro Drama Festival — The 35th annual celebration of the Spanish language dramatic arts from Spain’s Golden Age runs March 3-7 at the Chamizal National Memorial Theatre, 800 S. San Marcial. Professional and collegiate theater groups come from Mexico, Spain, the Dominican Republic and New York City to perform classic works by Spanish master playwrights such as Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Felix Lope de Vega y Carpio, Pedro Calderón de la Barca and Agustín Moreto y Cavana. All performances begin at 7 p.m.; seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $5 ($2 students, seniors over 62 and military). Information/tickets: 532-7273, ext. 102 or nps.gov/cham.
  The Siglo de Oro Drama Festival is the only festival in the world completely dedicated to presenting works drawn from Spain’s Golden Age, generally considered as spanning the late 15th century to the late 17th century. Akin to Shakespearean England, the age was highlighted by the writing by great Spanish authors.
  Plays average 90 minutes long, with “ratings” ranging from G to PG-13.
• Wednesday, March 3 — “Entre clasicos anda el juego,” presented by Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático of Murcia, Spain.
• Thursday, March 4 — Casa con dos puertas mala es de guardar,” presented by Perro Teatro of México City, México.
• Friday, March 5 — “Marta the Divine,” presented in English by University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
• Saturday, March 6 — “Con quien vengo, vengo,” Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático of Murcia, Spain.
• Sunday, March 7 — “El caballero del milagro,” presented by Teatro Circulo of New York City.

‘Souvenir’ – El Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents Stephen Temperly’s comedy about the notoriously bad soprano Florence Foster Jenkins through March 6. Directed by Ivan Sandlin. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 ($8 seniors, $7 military/students). Information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
  The two-character play is set in a Greenwich Village supper club in 1964, where Cosme McMoon, a mediocre pianist who teamed up with Jenkins in 1932, sentimentally recollects her life. Jenkins was a wealthy socialite who despite her utter lack of musical talent, became the talk of New York and a cult favorite with her hilariously off-key recitals with McMoon. Her bizarre career culminated in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944, and she died a month later.

MUSIC AND DANCE

Daniel Rodriguez — Showtime! El Paso presents the “singing policeman” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. The New York City cop has help bring the country and uplifting spirit of promise and hope with his stirring rendition of “God Bless America” after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Since then, he studied under Placido Domingo, retired from the force and released three albums: “The Spirit of America,” “From My Heart” and “In the Presence.” Tickets are $25 general admission ($10 youth/students), available at the door only. information: 544-2022 or ShowtimeElPaso.com.

Eli Young Band — The popular country music band performs at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Whiskey Dick’s, 580 George Dieter. The band’s last El Paso performance sold out. Tickets: $15. Tickets available online through ticketbully.com. Information: 921-9900.
  The band’s latest best-selling album, “Jet Black and Jealous,” includes the hits “When It Rains,” “Always the Love Songs” and “Radio Waves.” They were recently nominated for Top New Vocal Group of Duo in the Academy of Country Music awards.

Club 101 — 1148 Airway. Advance tickets for most events available at Club 101, All That Music, Psycha and online at ticketbully.com, unless otherwise listed.
Information: 544-2101 or club101.com.
• 8 p.m. Thursday, March 4 — Sick Puppies. The Australian band’s latest major label album is Tri-Polar. Also performing are Aranda and Violent Soho. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $16.50 in advance, plus service charge; $20 at the door.

UTEP Department of Music — Performances are 7:30 p.m. in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, unless otherwise listed.
  Tickets: $5 ($3 seniors, military, non-UTEP students; free for children).
  Tickets for Faculty Recital and Guest Artist series: $8 ($5 seniors, military and non-UTEP students; $3 children and UTEP students, faculty and staff). Information: 747-5606 or utep.edu/music.
• UTEP Orchestra — Tuesday, March 2.
• New Violin Faculty Recital — Wednesday, March 3, as part of the Faculty Recital Series. Recently receiving the Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, Mark Schuppener joins UTEP as a soloist, chamber musician and committed educator. He will be accompanied by piano faculty member Dena Kay Jones to perform the powerful and romantic Fauré Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13.
• University Choirs — Thursday, March 4.
• El Paso Area Brass Ensemble — Friday, March 5, as part of the Guest Artist Series. The ensemble features professional brass players and teachers from around the El Paso area, including members of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra and UACJ Orchestra in Juarez. They will perform a wide variety of music from Baroque to modern.
• Nancy, Steve and Friends — Saturday, March 6, as part of the Faculty Recital Series. UTEP Brass Faculty Nancy Taylor, trumpet and Steve Haddad, tuba and euphonium, present a wide ranging and fun recital of brass music. Guest performers include Quintessential Brass and Dominic Dousa, pianist and composer, on music by Telemann, Clarke, Wilder, Plog and more.
• Paul Merkelo, trumpet — 6 p.m. Sunday, March 7, as part of the Guest Artist Series. Solo trumpet with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Merkelo will perform an evening of music for trumpet and piano. Merkelo has been recognized as one of the leading trumpet soloists in the world today. His recordings have topped the classical charts and been nominated for best solo classical CD of the year.

Hanks Jazz Festival — The festival runs all day March 4-6, in the Hanks High School auditorium, 2100 Lee Trevino Regional middle and high school students will perform throughout the festival, with a final performance at 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public Information: 434-9700 or hanksband.com.
  This year’s guest clinicians are Dr. Willie Hill, a leading jazz educator; saxophonist Chris Vadala; and trumpet player Brad Goode. Special guests this year include the Eklektic Jazz Ensemble.

ART EVENTS

‘Colors of Spring 2010’ — El Paso Art Association’s annual spring show and sale is March 2-30, at Sunland Art Gallery in Sunland Park Mall, featuring works by both new and established EPAA members. This year’s judge is Las Cruces artist Wayne Carl Huber. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Information: Candy Mayer, 581-4971 or elpasoartassociation.com.
  Opening reception and awards ceremony is 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 5.

Adair Margo Fine Art — 215 Stanton, Suite 602 (Martin Building). Hours are 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: 533-0048 or adairmargo.com.
  Showing March 4-April 9: “Studies and Scripture: The Creative Process of Stephanie Beard in Creating the Stained Glass Windows for St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.” Beard is an artist who works out of her home in El Paso’s Upper Valley, usually in the medium of oil on canvas. Her primary interest has been in the human figure. In 1998 she was asked to design seven windows for St. Matthew’s Catholic Church on Sunset Road. Over 18 months she pondered scripture and sketched, conceptualizing the shapes and colors through which outdoor light would enter the sanctuary. From her sketches, large “cartoons” were created in which Stephanie defined the outlines of the figures and landscapes, indicating the color of glass that would fill each shape.
  Opening reception and artist’s talk is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4.

The Crossland Gallery — 500 W. Paisano (in the Art Junction of El Paso). Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. Information: 351-2811.
  Showing March 6-26: “From the Vine” Exhibit by UVAs (Union de Viejas Artistas), featuring 15 women art teachers from four school districts (YISD, EPISD, SISD, CISD). Featured artists are Lourdes Aguilar, Claudia M. Castañeda, Dolores Duenez, Virginia Castañeda-Erickson, Katie Gelinas, Yamille Issa Nabhan, Candie Printz, Gail Slater, Ana Valdez, Beverly Widener, Lorena Williams, Terry Wright, Cindy Zozaya, Marcela Cereceres and Elisa Martinez Barton. Their first exhibit in January of 2009, had the largest turnout in the history of the Crossland. Opening reception is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 6.


For a good cause

Jewish Academy Comedy Night – Avi Liberman, “The Comic the World is Talking About,” headlines the El Paso Jewish Academy’s 15th annual Comedy Night at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Temple Mt. Sinai, 4408 N. Stanton. A silent auction precedes the performance at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit EPJA, a 34-year-old elementary and middle school. Tickets: $62.50; available in advance by sending payment to the school at 805 Cherry Hill, 79912 or at the door. Information/tickets: EPJA, 833-0808.
  Born in Israel, raised in Texas, having gone to college in New York, and now living in Los Angeles, Liberman has a quirky style that combines life experiences and topical issues told through a varied blend of characters and voices.
  He has performed on “Late Late Show’ with Craig Ferguson on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and “Make Me Laugh.” Since 2001, he has arranged widely acclaimed stand-up comedy tours in Israel, donating all proceeds to a charity. The “Comedy For Koby” tour is now a bi-annual event, benefiting the Koby Mandell Foundation.

‘Tablescapes’ — El Paso Pro-Musica Guild’s 13th annual luncheon features 25 designer-decorated tables March 4-5 at the El Paso Country Club. Each table is individually decorated by El Paso’s leading floral designers, high-end furniture stores, party planners, specialty shops and more. Attendees vote for their favorite table, with designs ranging from whimsical to sophisticated. Proceeds benefit El Paso Pro-Musica. Information: Jana Tippin, 581-3701 or the El Paso Pro-Musica office, 833-9000.
  The Ladies’ Nite Out Preview Party is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday with a preview of tables, wine, fruit and cheese. Admission: $25.
  Luncheon and auction is 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, with browse time 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2:30 p.m. and lunch noon to 1 p.m. Cost: $40. RSVP deadline is Feb. 26.
  Combo tickets for both preview and luncheon are $60.

David Parkes dinner concert — Open Arms Community presents fundraiser concert for the Holy Spirit Retreat and Renewal Center featuring internationally known singer David Parkes of Dublin, Ireland 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall, 10970 Bywood (off Yarbrough). Parkes has performed in the El Paso area several times.
  Tickets: $20 (includes a Southwestern Lenten Buffet); available at Centro Santa Fe, 8210 North Loop; Madonna Shop, 5933 Gateway West; Holy Spirit Bookstore, 1830 George Dieter and the Franciscan Peddler, 1030 N. Zaragosa, Ste. D. Seating is limited. Credit card ticket purchases: 820-2692 or 595-0589. Information: openarmscommunity.org.
  A professional soccer player and musician, Parkes, a victim of Chrohn’s disease, was told in 1989 that he had just six weeks to live. On a pilgrimage to the former Yugoslavia, an American Catholic priest blessed him during a healing service. The disease disappeared, leaving his doctors in Ireland amazed. In his concerts, he shares both religious and popular songs. The father of a son with cystic fibrosis, he has become a strong voice for the value of life. His recording of the pro-life song “Let Me Live” from the album of the same name has drawn worldwide attention. His best-selling albums include “You Are Always Close To Me,” “Songs of Love and Inspiration” and “In His Time.”

‘Come take a Walk on the Wild Side’ — The El Paso Zoo offers an exclusive preview of its news Africa Exhibit 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 6. The family fundraiser will include a chance to welcome the four African lions and a special appearance of the zoo’s meerkats, plus a tour of other animal habitats. The event also features live music, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Kids’ activities include face painting, jumping balloons, rock climbing and free t-shirts.
  Tickets are $50 for adults, $10 per child age 6-12 and free for age 5 and under. Dress is “safari casual.” Information: 532-8156 or elpasozoo.org.
  A drawing will be held that evening for a trip for two to Africa courtesy of Sun Travel. Drawing tickets are $100. Proceeds benefit the El Paso Zoological Society.
 
Insights Night at The Oscars — A special viewing of 82nd annual Academy Awards benefiting Insights Museum in celebration of its 30th anniversary is 5:45 to 10 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at the Plaza Theatre. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks served 6 to 8 p.m. in the Main Lobby. The Plaza will be decorated for with classic movie posters, cutouts of movie stars and other film memorabilia. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters from the movies as they walk a red carpet into the theater. Tickets: $75. Sponsor packages $200, $300 and $500 and include recognition in event marketing and on tiles at museum. (Ticketmaster). Information: 534-0689 or 534-0000.
  Founded in February 1980 and originally located in the basement of the old El Paso Natural Gas Building, Insights has become the most highly attended museum in El Paso. The museum receives no taxpayer funding.
  The 2010 Academy Awards will be co-hosted by actors Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin from the Kodak Theater. This year’s event will also have ten “Best Picture” nominees.


ALSO THIS WEEK

UTEP Millennium Lecture — UTEP and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities will host Career Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow, president of the Institute of the Americas in La Jolla, Calif., at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at UTEP’s Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 126. Lecture begins at 4 p.m., and a reception follows in the lobby. Admission is free. Information: 747-5555.
  Davidow’s discussion is “Mexico and Other Challenges in Latin America for U.S. Policy.” Davidow served in the U.S. Foreign Service for 34 years, and was ambassador to Mexico and Venezuela.


UTEP Literature Lecture — Dr. Norma Elia Cantú, accomplished Chicana scholar from U.T. San Antonio and celebrated author of award-winning fiction and non-fiction, is the featured speaker at the 25th annual Literature Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at UTEP’s Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 106. Cantú will give a free lecture entitled “De acá de este lado (From this side): 200 Years of Chicana and Mexicana Border Literature.” The talk will highlight the impact of historical events from the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to the Mexican Revolution to NAFTA. Information: 747-5647 or 747-6249.

El Paso Museum of History — 510 N. Santa Fe. Hours (including gift shop) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays and city holidays. Special admission fee for Da Vinci exhibit; admission to other exhibits is free. Information: 351-3588 or elpasotexas.gov/history.
  Showing through July 10: “The Da Vinci Experience.” El Paso is the exhibit’s West Texas stop. More than 60 precise and working machines described and designed by Leonardo Da Vinci along with replicas of his greatest paintings; most notably the Mona Lisa, are on display. One piece is a precursor to the Gatling gun, weighing 2 tons.
  Tickets: $14 ($12 seniors 65 and older; $10 ages 5-11; $9 each for groups of 10). Family packages (sold in groups of five): $7 per ticket. (Ticketmaster).
Dr. Megan Benson will host the free lecture “Groundwater War! Law, Politics, and the Texas Rule of Capture” 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4.
  The museum will host an illustrated lecture by Dr. Katherine Benton-Cohen, “Borderline Americans: Racial Division and Labor War in the Arizona Borderlands” 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 7. Admission is free.

Provost Gun Show — The El Maida Provost Guard gun, small antique and Southwest art show is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6-7, at the El Maida Shrine Temple, 6331 Alabama. Includes new, used and antique firearms and accessories, knives, coins, Southwest jewelry, military surplus and collectibles. Food concession available. Admission: $5 ($4 active military and accompanying dependents; ages 12 and younger free). Parking is free. Age 18 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Information: 241-1761.


Southern New Mexico

Home Improvement and Lifestyle Show — The Las Cruces Home Builders Association’s 28th annual show is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6-7, at Dickerson’s Event Center, 3920 W. Picacho, in Las Cruces. The regional public marketplace showcases about 100 businesses that cater to the home improvement and home construction markets. Exhibitor booths, food concession stands and how-to demonstrations also will be featured. Admission: $4 ($3 seniors; free for children 10 and younger). Information: (575) 526-6126 or lchba.com.

Janis Ian – ASNMSU Cultural Series presents the legendary musician at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall. Ian is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, columnist and science fiction-fan-turned author. With a highly successful singing career in the 1960s and 70s, she penned the hit song “Jesse,” and the song which won her five Grammies in 1975, “At Seventeen.” Tickets: $15 ($10 students). Ticket information: (575) 646-1420.
  Ian’s book “Society’s Child-My Autobiography,” was released her book in paperback the first week of September, 2009 and her 2-disc CD, “Essential Janis Ian” is also out.

Zac Brown Band — The recent American Music Award winners perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at NMSU’s Pan American Center. Best known for the runaway hit “Chicken Fried,” the Zac Brown Band’s other singles include “Toes,” “Whatever It Is” and “Highway 20 Ride.” Tickets: $22-$32, plus service charge (Ticketmaster).
  The band “Chicken Fried” was named CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year in 2009, and the band also won the 2009 Best New Artist Grammy, among other honors. They have sold more than 20,000 CDs independently, and average more than 200 shows a year performing with a diverse group of artists including Sugarland, ZZ Top, Travis Tritt, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers Band, Willie Nelson and BB King.

Boulder Acoustic Society – The roots music group performs at 7:30 p.m. March 5, at the Buffalo Dance Hall in Silver City, N.M. Part of the new wave of American roots music, the group of four songwriters mash up blues, folk, gospel, indie and world music. Part of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series. Tickets: $5-$20. Information: (575) 538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289.

‘The Elixir of Love’ — Doña Ana Lyric Opera presents Donizetti’s best-loved opera March 5-7 at the Atkinson Recital Hall, NMSU, Las Cruces. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday Tickets: $12 and $15. Tickets: (575) 646-1420. Information: (575) 646-2067.
  The charming comedy tells the story of a village romance through boisterous choruses, spirited duets, and touching arias, including the tenor favorite “Una furtiva lagrima.”
  Naïve Nemerino is lovesick for the beautiful and clever Adina, and jealous of the dashing officer Belcore. To win her love, he buys a “magic” potion from the ebullient quack, Dulcamara, one of the greatest basso buffo characters in all of opera.

Guitars Not Guns concerts — The non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children receive music lessons will host fundraising concerts March 6 and 25 at Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. for both performances. Tickets: $10 per show; available at the theatre. Information: (575) 312-4685 or (575) 523-6403.
  Guitars Not Guns is about music, and trying to help underprivileged children to stay out of gangs. They start with children in the foster care system and take low income children as well, and give them guitar lessons for free.
• Saturday, March 6 — Boulder Acoustic Society. The band plays indie-folk that draws from Appalachian roots, gritty gospel and the contemporary urban soundscapes.
• Thursday, March 25 — Asylum Street Spankers. A collision of ragtime, two step, jazz, vaudeville, off color blues, hip hop, country and western makes the Asylum Street Spankers unique.

Camp Furlong Day — The 7th annual event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Pancho Villa State Park, off State Roads 11 and 9, Columbus, N.M. The event features folklorico dancers, music, a parade led by more than 100 Mexican cabalgata horseback riders and more. Admission is free. Information: (575) 531-2711, 1-888-NMPARKS or nmparks.com.
  Camp Furlong Day is a bi-national friendship event commemorating the March 9, 1916 early-morning attack on the village of Columbus and the adjacent military camp by Mexican General Francisco “Pancho” Villa and his men. Within days of the raid, General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing began a Punitive Expedition into Mexico to root out Villa and his men.

James Warhola reading and book signing — Doña Ana Art Council and Las Cruces Museum of Art will host the celebrated children’s author and nephew of legendary pop artist Andy Warhol in a special Magic Carpet Storytime event at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. Warhola will give a reading and book signing of his children’s book ‘Uncle Andy’s Cats” directly followed by a film and lecture on the life and art of Andy Warhol at Las Cruces Museum of Art in conjunction with their on-going Warhol exhibit. Showtime begins with a performance by the students of Alma de Arte School. Admission is free. Information, Las Cruces Museum of Art, (575) 541-2137 or the Dona Ana Arts Council, (575) 523-6403.
  Warhola is the author and illustrator of the children’s books “Uncle Andy’s: A Faabbbulous Visit with Andy Warhol” and “Uncle Andy’s Cats.” Since its publication in 2003, “Uncle Andy’s” has achieved both critical and commercial success.

Spencer Theater for Performing Arts — Airport Hwy 220 in Alto, N.M. (about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso). Free public guided tours are 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (except show dates). Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
• ‘Cats’ — 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6. Andrew Lloyd Webbers’s masterpiece and winner of seven Tony Awards, three Grammys, six Olivers, a Golden Globe, Oscar and an International Emmy, is considered the “musical of the century.” Tickets: $73-$76 (matinee) and $76-$79 (evening show).

Look Who’s Dancing 2010 — The celebrity dance event is 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at NMSU’s Pan American Center. Hosted by the Big Band Dance Club to benefit the New Mexico State University DanceSport Company. The event seeks to promote social dancing to the Las Cruces community as a healthful and enjoyable activity for all ages and all skill levels. Tickets: $12 general admission; $20 reserved. (Ticketmaster). General admission tickets also available at Enchanted Gardens and White’s Music Box in Las Cruces. Information: or dance.nmsu.edu/lookwhosdancing.
  After the competition, the audience is invited to join the Bob Burns-Mike Caranda Orchestra, and singer Judy Day, 4 to 6 p.m. for a live big band dance.

‘Rabbit Hole’ — No Strings Theatre Company will presents David Lindsay-Abaires’ 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Feb. 26-March 14 at Black Box Theatre, 420 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Directed by Ceil Herman. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7 and 14, and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11. Tickets: $10 ($9 students and seniors over 65, $7 all seats on Thursday). Information: (575) 523-1223 or nstcbbt@zianet.com.
  The play is a tender and sensitive exploration of family coming to terms with the accidental death of their 4-year-old son.

‘The Eurydice Project’ – American Southwest Theatre Company presents its original production through March 7 at NMSU’s Hershel Zohn Theatre. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Preview night is 7 p.m. Feb. 18. Tickets: $15 ($10 preview night). Information: 1-800-525-ASTC (2782).
  The play retells the classic story: Orpheus must travel to the Underworld to save his bride, Eurydice. Can he save her soul and reunite with his love or is he doomed to lose her forever?

‘The Murder Room’ — Las Cruces Community Theater, 313 Downtown Mall, presents Jack Sharkey’s zany spoof on murder mysteries through March 7. The play has been called a mixture of Agatha Christie, Monty Python and Abbot and Costello. Directed by Ken Eastlack. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $8 ($7 seniors, students and military, $5 children). Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

 

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